Device for producing wrapped press bales

ABSTRACT

A hay stacking assembly which includes a pickup for picking loose hay up from a window and conveying it into a stacker assembly that has a stack support bed that rotates as the stacker moves. Means are provided for packing the hay into the stacker assembly until a complete hay stack is formed. When the hay stack is formed, the packed hay stack is removed from the stacker bed through the use of a push off device, and the unit is then again used for making another hay stack.  
     The unit can be used as a hay stack mover if desired upon the application of proper hay stack loading means.

[0001] The invention relates to a device for producing wrapped pressed bales, in which a material which can be pressed is present, having a pressing device which is arranged so as to be movable vertically and which is provided with at least one rotatable tapered compressor roller, having a receiving device which is constructed in the form of an open cylindrical hollow body for receiving the material to be pressed, and having a base plate—closing the receiving device towards the bottom and arranged so as to be detachable from the receiving device—for supporting the pressed bales.

[0002] It is known to press bulk materials or plant materials, or even refuse, into pressed bales and to wrap them with a viscoplastic foil for the purpose of storage and/or transportation.

[0003] EP 0 106 268 A1 should be mentioned as the closest prior art. This publication describes a device for compressing packaging material and easily pressable waste in a cylindrical container open at the top. In this device it is provided that a centrally arranged and vertically extending shaft is arranged on an arm of a stand engaging over the container, at least one support, which extends horizontally and on which a compressor roller is rotatably mounted, being provided at the lower end of the said shaft, and the compressor roller resting on the refuse by virtue of its own weight. Because of the rotation of the shaft the compressor roller rolls on a circular path on the refuse to be pressed, in which case the compressor roller and the shaft are moved upwards accordingly as the pressed layer of refuse increases. When the pressing procedure has finished, a pressed bale is formed which has not been wrapped. This means that with this device it is possible to press only those materials or substances which do not fall apart again on account of their structure after the pressing procedure. Refuse is a typical example of this. If, on the other hand, it is desired to press bulk materials or, for example, plant materials chopped into small pieces, limits would be encountered very quickly, since at least partial quantities of the pressed material would become detached from the pressed bales or the latter would even fall apart again during the transportation of pressed bales of this type at the latest.

[0004] On the basis of this prior art, the object of the invention is further to develop a device of the type defined in the introduction in such a way that it is suitable for pressing materials of widely different types. In this case it should be possible to set the device to be produced with a view to optimizing the pressing procedure to the materials to be pressed. The device should allow the pressed bales to be wrapped with foil, without the production procedure of the pressed bales being delayed.

[0005] The object is attained in that the receiving device and the base plate are mounted so as to be rotatable about a common vertical axis, the base plate can additionally be moved in the vertical direction, and a winding device provided with at least one winding head is arranged in such a way that at the beginning of the winding procedure the at least one winding head is situated at the level of the common connexion area of the receiving device and the base plate.

[0006] The essential advantage of the invention is that the manner of operation of the proposed device can be set to the physical properties of the material to be pressed. This can be achieved in particular on account of the fact that the receiving device, the base plate and the compressor rollers can be rotated independently of one another. As a result, different operating states can be set up with the possibility of devising and applying the optimum pressing procedure for a specific material. In the case of awkwardly shaped materials, such as occur for example in refuse, the receiving device and the base plate will be allowed to rotate more slowly than in the case of chopped-up plant material. In this case, solely because this material can be supplied more uniformly to the receiving device, the receiving device and the base plate can be rotated more rapidly. It is not absolutely necessary, however, for the receiving device and the base plate to be moved in synchronism, but the receiving device can even be at a standstill when it is used to optimize a pressing procedure. Even the rotational movements of the compressor rollers can be selected differently. It has also been found to be advantageous if the pressed bale can be pressed out downwards out of the receiving device, in which case the winding device is activated at the same time and the pressed bale is progressively wrapped with foil by the winding head. It has likewise been found to be advantageous to keep the winding head in readiness at that level at which the wrapping of the pressed bale can begin immediately after the pressing procedure is concluded. As a result, no valuable time is lost during the production process.

[0007] The invention allows further advantageous embodiments. In this way it is possible, in addition to the possibilities of variation just mentioned, also to select the pressing forces of the pressing device to be at different degrees. In particular, in the case of delicate material, for example material such as is provided as animal feed, the pressing forces will be kept low. In the same way it is possible to operate at high pressing forces when the material to be pressed, such as refuse, also permits forces of this magnitude. Pressed bales can then in fact be produced which have a very high density and so equal units of volume of material to be pressed require correspondingly less space.

[0008] In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention it is recommended to arrange the longitudinal axis of the at least one tapered compressor roller so as to be inclined from the outside to the inside, so that each compressor roller can be moved with its outer end-face boundary to close to the inner wall of the receiving device. In this case it has been found to be useful if, when at least two compressor rollers are used for example, one of the rollers is longer than the other compressor roller and the longer roller extends beyond the vertical axis of the receiving device as viewed from above. In this way, no area remains unpressed in the centre when the base plate is rotating on the pressed bale.

[0009] Finally, in accordance with a third embodiment it is likewise advantageous, not only for a sweeping means to be provided on the at least one compressor roller, but likewise for a further sweeping means—which extends in the vertical direction and which is used to sweep the inner wall of the receiving device and thus to keep it clean—to be arranged on the pressing device.

[0010] The invention is explained in greater detail with reference to an embodiment illustrated graphically and diagrammatically. In the drawing

[0011]FIG. 1 shows a device at the beginning of the filling and pressing procedure, and

[0012]FIG. 2 shows the same device with a pressed bale present on the lowered base plate.

[0013] The device 1 intended to produce wrapped pressed bales 33 comprises a stationary support frame 7. The support frame 7 is provided with lower guides 8 a which extend vertically and in which a support device 2 is guided so as to be movable vertically. The support device 2 carries a base plate 3 which, driven by a motor 45, can be rotated about a vertical axis 5. A receiving device 9 for receiving material 31 to be pressed, for example bulk material, plant material or even refuse, is situated above the base plate 3. The receiving device 9 is cylindrical. It is arranged on the support frame 7 and mounted so as to be rotatable and, like the base plate 3, can rotate about the vertical axis 5. For this purpose a friction wheel 41, which is driven by a motor and which is pressed against the outer cover 15 of the receiving device 9, is provided for example. The receiving device 9 resembles a tube with a large diameter standing upright. Mutually opposed upper guides 8, in which a pressing device 18 is guided so as to be movable vertically, are arranged on the support frame 7. The pressing device 18 passes with two strong arms 19 from above downwards into the receiving device 9. One respective tapered or conical compressor roller 20, the respective longitudinal axes 23 of which are arranged inclined with respect to a horizontal line, is provided on the lower end of each arm 19. The compressor rollers 20 are arranged in such a way that the diameter of their end face 21 situated on the outside is greater than the external diameter of their end face 22 situated on the inside. The position of the longitudinal axes 23 of the compressor rollers 20 is selected in such a way that their running faces 24 can rest closely against the horizontal plane 4 of the base plate 3 situated thereunder, as is also clearly shown in the drawing. It is additionally clear from the drawing that, as a result of the arrangement—thus selected—of the compressor rollers 20 mounted in an overhung manner in the example, it is possible for the end face 11 of each compressor roller 20 situated on the outside to approach close to the cylindrical inner wall 11 of the receiving device 9. A known drive means 27 is situated in each compressor roller 20, so that the compressor rollers 20, which can be entirely different in length, can be driven so as to be rotatable about their respective longitudinal axis 23. A sweeping means 30 is arranged stationary on the pressing device 18 above each compressor roller 20, in order to permit a substantially uniform feed of the material 31 to be pressed to the compressor rollers 20. It is possible for a further sweeping means 30 a to be optionally provided, which is present on the pressing device 18 and is arranged vertically and which is used to scrape off the inner wall 11 of the receiving device 9 and to keep it free of material 31 to be pressed. A feed device 29, by which the material 31 to be pressed is conveyed to the receiving device 9, passes from above to the receiving device 9 and to the pressing device 18. A winding device 37, which is provided with at least one winding button [sic-recte head] 37 a and which is intended to wrap a pressed bale 33, for example with foil 38, is situated close to the lower region 12 of the receiving device 9 and close to the base plate 3. The winding heads 37 a, which are each mounted so as to be rotatable about a respective axis, can additionally be mounted on a circular path and can be guided so as likewise to be rotatable about the vertical axis 5. The cylindrically shaped base plate 3 is shaped frustoconically on its periphery and tapers upwards. The lower region 12 of the receiving device 9 is shaped conically in the opposite direction. For this purpose a correspondingly shaped ring 13 is provided at the lower end of the receiving device 9 on the outer cover 15 of the latter. Instead of two compressor rollers 20 it is also possible for only one compressor roller 20 or for more than two compressor rollers 20 to be provided.

[0014] The production of a pressed bale 33 from pressable material 31 may be described as follows:

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the support device 2 with the base plate 3 has been moved upwards with the aid of at least one hydraulically acting cylinder 42 into the starting position which permits the pressing procedure. The receiving device 9 either rests with the lower edge 16 thereof on the base plate 3, or an annular gap of a few millimetres in height is formed between the base plate 3 and the lower edge 16 of the receiving device 9, so that for example liquid deposited during the pressing procedure can be allowed to run off. The compressor rollers 20 are arranged at a slight distance from the horizontal plane 4 of the base plate 3. Both the receiving device 9 and the base plate 3 are set in preferably synchronous rotary motion with the aid of their drive devices. In the same way, the compressor rollers 20 are made to rotate about their longitudinal axes 24 by their drive means 27. With the aid of the feed device 29 the material 31 to be pressed is now fed from above into the rotating receiving device 9, is gripped by the rotating compressor rollers 20 and is pressed against the likewise rotating base plate 3. The more material 31 to be pressed is added, the more the layer 32 of the now pressed material 31 grows. In this case the pressing device 18 supported at the bottom on cylinders 43 acting hydraulically is actuated as a function of pressure in such a way that the said pressing device 18 likewise moves upwards with the layer 32 growing upwards. The pressure acting upon the layer 32 can be selected to be at different degrees depending upon the nature of the material 31 to be pressed. If refuse is pressed, the pressure will be set considerably higher than for example in the case of pressing plant materials intended for agriculture. A pressed bale 33, which is present in the receiving device 9 and which can have a different height depending upon the setting, is thus progressively formed. The compressor rollers 20 are indicated in the uppermost end position thereof in dash-dot lines. The distance between the horizontal plane 4 of the base plate 3 and the lower boundary of the compressor rollers 20 determines the height of the pressed bale 33. When the pressing procedure is concluded, the winding device 37 immediately comes into action, in that the at least one winding head 37 a with the foil 38 present thereon, situated at the level of the common connexion area 10 of the receiving device 9 and the base plate 3, rolls both on the conical cover 6 of the base plate 3 and on the conical portion 14 of the receiving device 9. If the base plate 3 is now lowered while the winding device 37 is running and if the pressed bale 33 is accordingly pushed out of the receiving device 9 with the aid of the pressing device 18, the middle region of the pressed bale 33 can also be wrapped. If the lowering is continued and if the pressed bale 33 is pushed completely out of the receiving device 9, vide FIG. 2, the upper region 34 of the pressed bale 33 will also be wrapped, in which case the upper edge region 40 of the foil 38 rolls on the conical portion 14 of the receiving device 9. If the base plate 3 is lowered to the extent that the receiving device 9 is situated at a distance from the pressed bale 33, the upper edge region 40 of the foil 38 is detached from the conical portion 14 and rests closely in an annular manner against the end face 35 of the pressed bale 33 situated at the top. A tilting device 44, which is not described in greater detail and by which the support device 2 together with the base plate 3 can be tilted by 90° for example, can be provided on the support device 2, so that the wrapped pressed bale 33 is detached from the base plate 3 and during this procedure the lower edge region 39 of the foil 38 rests closely against the lower end face 36 of the pressed bale 33. The wrapping of the pressed bales 33 with the foil 38 can be accelerated if the at least one winding head 37 a follows a circular path leading around the vertical axis 5 and the selected direction of rotation is selected to be contrary to the direction of rotation of the base plate 3. If the two end faces 35, 36 of the pressed bale 33 are not quite covered by the foil 38, the pressed bale 33 can be supplied to a further winding device (not shown here). After the pressed bale 33 has been removed, the support device 2 with the base plate 3 is returned again to the starting position and the compressor rollers 20 are moved downwards to close to the base plate 3. A new pressed bale 33 can now be produced again. 

1. A device (1) for producing wrapped pressed bales (33), in which a pressable material (31) is present, having a pressing device (18) which is arranged so as to be movable vertically and which is provided with at least one rotatable tapered compressor roller, having a receiving device (9) which is constructed in the form of an open cylindrical hollow body for receiving the material (31) to be pressed, and having a base plate (3)—closing the receiving device (9) towards the bottom and arranged so as to be detachable from the receiving device (9)—for supporting the pressed bales (33), characterized in that the receiving device (9) and the base plate (3) are mounted so as to be rotatable about a common vertical axis (5), the base plate (3) can additionally be moved in the vertical direction, and a winding device (37) provided with at least one winding head (37 a) is arranged in such a way that at the beginning of the winding procedure the at least one winding head (37 a) is situated at the level of the common connexion area (10) of the receiving device (9) and the base plate (3).
 2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressing force of the pressing device (18) is variable.
 3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the position of the longitudinal axes (23) of the at least one compressor roller (20) is selected to be such that the or each compressor roller (20) can roll with its running face (24) closely on the plane (4) of the base plate (3).
 4. A device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one compressor roller (20) is situated in a lowered starting position of the pressing device (18) at a slight distance from the plane (4) of the base plate (3).
 5. A device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least one compressor roller (20) is mounted in an overhung manner.
 6. A device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the at least one compressor roller (20) extends as far as the cylindrical inner wall (11) of the receiving device (9).
 7. A device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that when at least two compressor rollers (20) are used at least one compressor roller (20) is longer than the at least one further compressor roller (20).
 8. A device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a sweeping means (30) fastened to the pressing device (18) is associated with the at least one compressor roller (20).
 9. A device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one sweeping means (30 a) intended to sweep the inner wall (11) of the receiving device (9) is provided on the pressing device (18).
 10. A device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the base plate (3) is shaped in a frustoconical manner tapering upwards on its periphery.
 11. A device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the receiving device (9) is shaped in a frustoconical manner tapering downwards on the external periphery of its lower region (12).
 12. A device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the receiving device (9) can be positioned with its lower edge (16) on the base plate (3).
 13. A device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the base plate (3) is arranged so as to be tiltable.
 14. A device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the receiving device (9), the base plate (3) and the at least one compressor roller (20) are rotatable independently of one another.
 15. A device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the at least one winding head (37 a) of the winding device (37) is arranged so as to be either stationary or rotatable about the vertical axis (5). 